Indianapolis IN vs Philadelphia PA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Indianapolis
882,043
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 35.1 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 53.6% | 36.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
Indianapolis +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
Indianapolis +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $60,698 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 8.4% | Indianapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 22.0% | Indianapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
Philadelphia
$233,814
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $233,814 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 52.3% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
Indianapolis +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | 48.5 in | Indianapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Philadelphia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
Philadelphia
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Philadelphia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 34.5 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 370 in Indianapolis. Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Philadelphia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.8 µg/m³).
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